Revelation 22:14 Commentary and Bible Study

Again this is not teaching salvation by works. The verse does not say that obedience is the means by which they have a right to the tree of life. It says no more than the Lord Jesus, ‘And I know that his command is everlasting life’ (John 12:50). The same word for ‘right’, is used by John in his Gospel, ‘to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name’ (John 1:12). It means ‘authority’, ‘right’ or ‘power’. This right is something which guarantees the thing itself. God will ensure that all to whom this right is given, avail themselves of it. The tree of life represents Christ and the life that he gives to all his children. He gives eternal life to all who eat of his flesh and drink of his blood. Now, far from being barred from this tree by a flaming sword, God encourages us to come and enjoy that life to the full.This will be an end to all argument. All false religion will be shut out of heaven. All who have approved themselves but have not been approved by God. When we listen to men justifying themselves, we wonder how we could ever shut the mouths of those who oppose God and mock his standards, for they offer no end of reasons why they are right. But when they are left standing at the door and the despised Christians pass on before them, then they will be fully answered. Will the believers boast that they deserve to enter in? No, they will give all the credit to grace. The wicked who dared to compare themselves to the righteous and consider themselves just as worthy, will be utterly silenced by the humility of the righteous. They cannot begin to occupy such a lowly position; therefore they cannot begin to be exalted to such a high position.‘For without are dogs.’ The word was used by the Jews as a term of derision for the Gentiles. It was even used by Christ in this way (Matthew 15:26-27). The dog of the ancient world was not the fireside pet of modern times, but a scavenger that lived on the streets and was considered unclean. The term is used here to describe all who are unholy, all who have not trusted in Christ for their salvation. So it is used by Paul (Philippians 3:2). The Jews used it as a term for the Gentiles, but it here stands for all those who are outside the kingdom of God. Once more sorcery is mentioned and listed with other major heads of sin. We can expect an interest in the occult to the end of the world. Those who are outside are described in the most extreme terms. Are all murderers and sorcerers and sexually immoral and idolaters? Yes, for Christ teaches that these sins reign in every human being at least in the mind. In hell however, common grace will no longer exercise its restraining influence and each one will appear as they are in themselves. The sexually immoral are there. The Spirit has warned us of the dangers of these sins so often that we can hardly be surprised at this. No liar may enter heaven either. How seriously we should take this sin. The liar sees great advantage in his lies. He belongs to the darkness of this world and uses it to act in secret, counter to the law of God. He lies to God in his heart, he lies to other human beings, and he lies even to himself. To him, a lie is a solution to many problems.